Americans4Artsakh (AfA) is increasing its support for educational programs through the expansion of the Yervand Nersisyan scholarship program. Thanks to the generous contributions of Yervand, students from the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) who are studying at various colleges in Armenia receive monthly stipends. Launched first in 2016 with the ability to assist two students from Artsakh, the program has gradually expanded to helping 14 students by 2022. The contributions towards this program from Yervand Nersisyan have totaled 70,000 U.S. dollars to date.
In recognition of Yervand’s dedication to the education of young Armenians from Artsakh, Americans4Artsakh announced in 2020 that the scholarship program will be named after Yervand Nersisyan.
Yervand Nersisyan of New York City, originally from Artsakh, is a professional in the financial industry.
David Voskanyan
I am David Voskanyan from Mets Tagher village, Hadrut, Artsakh Republic. In 2019 I was admitted to the Faculty of Computer Science at Yerevan State University. In the same year I was drafted into the Artsakh Defense Army where I participated in the Artsakh War of 2020.
How important is the scholarship to you?
As a result of the war, there were both human and territorial losses during which we also lost our village. Now my family and I have settled temporarily in Yerevan where I continue my studies after being discharged from Army. Despite the issues with hard living circumstances and tough psychological condition, I try to focus solely on my studies. The provided scholarship helps immensely in terms of financial needs.
How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?
It is an important stimulus and helps to solve many financial hardships.
What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?
Education is fundamental to strengthening and development of Artsakh. I have a plan to later establish a technological school in Artsakh, where people of any age will be able to study for free. And I will personally finance students with financial needs who are interested in science.
Hrachya Baghdasaryan
I am Hrachya Baghdasaryan from Shushi, Artsakh Republic. I am studying in the Data processing in physics and artificial intelligence department of the Faculty of Physics of Yerevan State University.
How important is the scholarship to you?
Scholarship is quite important for me. It allows me to focus more on my studies.
How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?
Knowing that in case of a high GPA I will have a higher scholarship, my motivation to study better increases even more.
What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?
I would like to contribute to the development of the IT sector in Artsakh.
Karen Tovmasyan
I was born in 2002 in the city of Yerevan and lived in Stepanakert for quite a long time. I am studying at the Finance department of the Faculty of Economics and Management at Yerevan State University.
How important is the scholarship to you?
The scholarship is very important to me because it helps me to take care of all the financial problems of my student life, which ensures a smooth process for education.
How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?
The scholarship also has the ability to motivate. The lack of a scholarship can significantly affect studying well, because without a scholarship it will be difficult to cover all the expenses and one would need to start working and spend less time in classes, which will lead to the deterioration of the quality of education.
What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?
First of all, I want to get the most out of the university, become the specialist of my dreams and, if possible, also get more training abroad. In the future, I will help to strengthen Artsakh materially and financially. As a participant of the third Artsakh war I have an understanding about the main issues we have and will help to fix them in the future.
Sevak Gevorgyan
I am Sevak Gevorgyan from Taghavard village, Martuni, Artsakh Republic. I am studying at the Semiconductor Physics and Microelectronics Department of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia.
How important is the scholarship to you?
The scholarship provides me with certain financial security and allows me to focus more on my studies.
How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?
Having a scholarship motivates me to study well.
What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?
In the future, I aim to become a good specialist and use my knowledge for the benefit of Artsakh.
Ashkhen Hovakimyan
I am Ashkhen Hovakimyan from Taghavard village, Martuni, Artsakh Republic. I am studying at the Department of Telecommunications and Signal Processing of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia.
How important is the scholarship to you?
Since our village is on the border, it is difficult to work there and the scholarship helps with paying for the rent and more. I am thankful for being included in such a program.
How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?
Thanks to the scholarship, I don’t have many distractions and can devote myself completely to studying.
What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?
In the future, I want to become a skilled programmer and engineer. I have a big goal to start my own business. In my profession, I have always thought of doing something for Artsakh. In the future, I want to open a development center for children in Artsakh.
